Archbishop Nienstedt traveling to Vatican to meet pope next month

Twin Cities Archbishop John Nienstedt is planning a trip to Rome in March to meet with Pope Benedict XVI.

According to The Catholic Spirit, Bishop Lee Piche will also be traveling with the archbishop to the Vatican March 4-11:

“The local prelates will be there ... with bishops from nine other dioceses comprising Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota as part of their ‘ad limina’ visit, which bishops from around the world are required to make approximately every five years,” The Catholic Spirit reports.

“The visits combine prayer and liturgy with more business-oriented meetings with officials of key Vatican agencies. These include the congregations in charge of doctrine, clergy, bishops, worship, education and religious orders, and pontifical councils that deal with ecumenism, the family and laity. The meetings are an opportunity to review church life in the bishops’ particular part of the world.”

“The meeting with the Holy Father is one of the highlights of every “ad limina” visit, and Pope Benedict “is putting his own stamp on things,” Archbishop Nienstedt said. Instead of meeting individually with bishops, he is meeting with them in groups and engaging them in a conversation during which he listens and asks questions on relevant themes and topics.

“Ad limina” visits for U.S. bishops began last November. Of the 15 groups that will make the trip, the pope planned to give a formal speech to only five. Archbishop Nienstedt was recently notified that the pope has chosen to address his regional group.”